189 Participants in 1st Session, 2,436 Last Year
Expanded to Twice a Year from Next Year
‘Sorae’s companion dog Haejun showed hematuria after a walk. Which of the following diseases is most likely?’
‘Select all the causes of urination mistakes in companion cats from the following.’
These are some of the questions from Seoul City's ‘Companion Owner Competency Test’ that assesses knowledge about companion animals. The number of test takers for this exam, held annually by Seoul City, has increased twelvefold over the past four years until last year. Although taking this test does not grant any special qualifications or employment opportunities, the number of people taking it grows every year due to their interest and affection for companion animals.
The Companion Owner Competency Test started in 2019 with 189 participants in the dog category. The following year, in 2020, the cat category was added. In 2020, there were 1,004 participants; in 2021, 2,693; and last year, 2,436. In just three years, the number of test takers increased more than twelvefold. Seoul City is recruiting 6,000 applicants for the ‘5th Companion Owner Competency Test’ to be held on October 15 this year until the 30th of next month. Registration is free, with 3,500 spots for the dog category and 2,500 for the cat category.
Seoul City’s Companion Owner Competency Test is based on Germany’s companion dog license system. In Germany, those wishing to adopt a companion animal must complete mandatory owner education. In some German states, one must pass the test to keep a companion animal. However, unlike Germany, Seoul City’s test is not mandatory. A Seoul City official said, “The purpose is not to judge pass or fail through the test, but to provide an opportunity to check how much one knows about companion animals.” Seoul City plans to increase the test frequency to twice a year starting next year.
The test is relatively challenging. Last year, the highest score in the dog section was 94 points, the median score was 58, and the average score was 55. The cat section had slightly higher scores, with the highest at 96 points, the median at 74, and the average at 69 points.
The written test consists of 50 questions covering a wide range of topics from basic companion animal care knowledge such as animal registration, walking, and pet etiquette to specialized knowledge including understanding animal behavior, health management, and animal protection laws. It encompasses four areas: ▲Veterinary Clinical (Health Management) ▲Nutrition ▲Socialization/Behavioral Science ▲Policy and Systems. Starting this year, about 50% of the questions will be drawn from a question bank provided by the Seoul Animal Welfare Support Center.
The written test will be conducted online on October 15. Up to 80 top-scoring teams (companion owner + companion dog) in the dog section will be eligible to participate in the practical test held on November 12 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Eoullim Madang. Unlike the written test, the practical test uses a passing score of 60 points and evaluates five areas, including performing various tasks during a walk with the companion dog.
To take the Companion Owner Competency Test, applicants can register on the ‘Companion Owner Competency Test Registration Site’ from the 22nd until the 30th of next month.
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